Skateboard strap

ABSTRACT

A strap attached to a skateboard is provided. The strap may be a retractable strap. The present invention includes a housing that houses the retractable strap within. The housing may be a first riser for the skateboard. The present invention may include a connector in which the strap releasably connects to. The connector may be a second riser attached to the skateboard. When a user is carrying the skateboard, the user may extend the strap from the housing and connect the strap to the connector, thereby forming a shoulder strap.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/777,778, filed Mar. 12, 2013 the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a strap and, more particularly, to a strap extendable from a skateboard.

A skateboard is a type of sorts equipment used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. It usually consists of a specially designed maplewood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability. A skateboard rider generally carries their skateboard with just one hand (the average skateboard is from five to ten pounds). Skateboard riders have developed issues over time with their fingers, wrists and elbows, due to carrying a skateboard with their hands.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that allows a skateboard rider to easily carry their skateboards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a skateboard carrying apparatus comprises: a skateboard comprising a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises a plurality of wheels; a housing comprising a strap within, wherein the housing is attached to the bottom surface of the skateboard, wherein the strap is retractable within the housing and extendable from the housing; and a connector attached to the skateboard, wherein an end of the strap is releasably attachable to the connector.

In another aspect of the present invention, the skateboard carrying apparatus comprising: a first spacer comprising a housing having a strap within, wherein the strap comprises an extended position when the strap is substantially outside of the housing, and a retracted position when the strap is substantially within the housing, wherein the first spacer is formed to be secured between a first truck and a skateboard; and a second spacer comprising a connector, wherein the strap is releasably connectable to the connector in the extended position, wherein the first spacer is formed to be secured between a second truck and the skateboard.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the present invention show in use;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention shown installed on a skateboard;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the housing in a retracted and unlocked configuration;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the present invention along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 demonstrated in a retracted and unlocked configuration;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the present invention demonstrated in an extended configuration;

FIG. 6 is a section view of the present invention demonstrated in an extended and unlocked configuration;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention shown installed and demonstrated in an extended and unlocked configuration;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the connector;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention demonstrated in an extended, buckled and locked configuration;

FIG. 10 is a section detail view of the present invention along line 10-10 in FIG. 9 demonstrating a locking mechanism; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the components of the present invention along with an exemplary skateboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a strap attached to a skateboard. The strap may be a retractable strap. The present invention includes a housing that houses the retractable strap within. The housing may be a first riser for the skateboard. The present invention may include a connector in which the strap releasably connects to. The connector may be a second riser attached to the skateboard. When a user is carrying the skateboard, the user may extend the strap from the housing and connect the strap to the connector, thereby forming a shoulder strap.

The present invention includes a retractable carrying strap for skateboards. The present invention may be incorporated within the skateboard. Using the present invention, the skateboard rider may conveniently carry the skateboard at any time. The present invention helps to relieve the physical stress and strain connected with the carrying of a skateboard in a conventional manner. The present invention may further eliminate the individual's need for any other carrying device for their skateboard. The present invention does not in any way impede the use and/or function of the skateboard.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 11, the present invention includes a retractable strap 28 attached to a skateboard 24. The skateboard 24 may include a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface may include a plurality of wheels. A housing 10 may be attached to the bottom surface of the skateboard 24. The housing 10 may house the strap 28.

The strap 28 may be retractable within the housing 10 and extendable from the housing 10. The present invention may further include a connector 36 attached to the skateboard 24. The connector 36 is releasably attachable to an end of the strap 30. The housing 10 may be attached to the skateboard 24 near the first end and the connector 36 may be attached to the skateboard 24 near the second end.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a first spacer 10′ which is the housing 10 having the strap 28 within. As mentioned above, the strap 28 includes an extended position when the strap 28 is substantially outside of the housing 10 and a retracted position when the strap 30 is substantially within the housing 10. The first spacer is formed to be secured between a first truck 26 and a skateboard 24.

The present invention may include a second spacer 34 which is the connector 36. The strap 28 is releasably attachable to the connector 36 in the extended position. The second spacer 34 is formed to be secured between a second truck 26 and the skateboard 24.

The first spacer 10′ and the second spacer 34 may include a plurality of screw openings. Therefore, screws may be driven through the skateboard 24, through the spacer, and through the trucks 26. A plurality of nuts may be secured to the plurality of screws, thereby securing the trucks 26 and the spacers 10′, 34 to the skateboard 24.

In certain embodiments, the housing 10 may include a center body 20 sandwiched between a top plate 12 and a bottom plate 22. The center body 20 may include a cavity. A rotating spool 14 may fit within the cavity and the strap 28 may wrap around the spool 14. The spool 14 may include a spring 18 which spring biases the strap 28 in the retracted position. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a gear 32 attached to the rotating spool 14.

The present invention may further include a lock having a rotatable knob 16 with a protrusion. The knob 16 may be rotated so that the protrusion is in contact with the rotating spool 14, and thereby preventing the rotating spool 14 from rotating. Therefore, the strap 20 is locked and in a fixed position. The knob 14 may be rotated so that the protrusion is no longer in contact with the gear 32 to unlock the strap 28.

In certain embodiments, a first end of the strap 28 may connected to the spring 18 within the housing 10, and the second end of the strap may connect with the connector 36. The spring 18 may be connected to a peg within the housing 10. In certain embodiments, the second end may include a male clip 30. The male clip may be larger than an opening leading into the housing 10. Therefore, the male clip may protrude from the housing 10 and thereby may be easily accessible. The connector 36 may include a female clip. The male clip 30 may releasably secure to the female clip creating a shoulder strap.

The main body 20 of the housing 10, the covers 12, 22 and the internal gears may be formed by injection molding plastic. In certain embodiments, the strap 28 may be a nylon strap that is machine woven to the end of the power spring 18. The nylon strap 28 feeds through a cut of the spool 14, coming through to the outside of the spool 14 and is wound around the spool 14 extending out past the end guided through a directional channel in the body 20. The center body 20 is then placed on the bottom plate 22. The spring 18 may be secured to a center post of which may be attached to one of the plates 12, 22. The center post may be anchor point for which the end of the power spring 22. The center body 20 may include a series of alignment holes that coincide with pins of the plates 12, 22. The pins snap into the center body 10 and form the housing 10.

As mentioned above, the present invention may include a lock 16. The force of the spring 18 pulls the strap within the housing 10. Therefore the nylon strap 30 must be pulled out by the skateboarder's hand in order to use the strap 30. Upon pulling the nylon strap 30 outward to the desired length, the lock 16 or knob may be rotated to the lock position stopping the main gear 32 from turning. When engaged in this manner the knobs protruding teeth meshes with the gears of the main gear 32 locking the two gears in place. Rolling the knob back in the opposite direction releases the gears, placing the unit into the unlock position enabling the nylon strap 30 to move and thereby enabling the strap 30 to rotate back inside the housing 10.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The skateboarder 38 may remove the existing risers from their skateboards assembly (if there are no risers currently present, the rider may add the invention to their existing skateboard assembly). The first riser including the housing 10 and the second riser including the connector 36 may be installed (bolted) to the bottom of the skateboard 24. Once they are secured to the skateboard 24, the rider 38 may then proceed to use their skateboard 24 as originally designed. When the rider 38 decides they want to carry their skateboard 24, the skateboarder 38 turns their skateboard upside down, grabs hold of the end buckle where it protruded from the housing 10 and extends the strap 28 outward. As the carrying strap 28 is extended, the center spool 14 is turned. The further the strap 28 extends outward, the tighter the spring 18 becomes inside the center spool 14. Once the strap 30 is extended to the riders 38 desired length, they rotate the lock knob 16 into the lock position; stopping the outward movement of the nylon strap. They then attach (click) the male end buckle into the corresponding female end buckle on the second riser. With the connection complete they are able to sling the strap 28 over their head and cross the strap over their shoulder. Then turn their skateboard 24 around until it is behind them so it lays flat on their back. This frees up the riders 38 hands, allowing them to carry other objects or perform other tasks as desired.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A skateboard carrying apparatus comprising: a skateboard comprising a first end, a second end, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises a plurality of wheels; a housing comprising a strap within, wherein the housing is attached to the bottom surface of the skateboard, wherein the strap is retractable within the housing and extendable from the housing; and a connector attached to the skateboard, wherein an end of the strap is releasably attachable to the connector.
 2. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is attached near the first end and the connector is attached near the rear end.
 3. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a spring that spring biases the strap in a retracted position.
 4. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a lock locking the strap in a fixed position.
 5. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a spool within the housing, wherein the spool comprises the spring, wherein the retracted position comprises the strap coiled around the spool.
 6. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a gear attached to the spool, wherein the lock comprises a rotatably knob comprising a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is rotated into the gear in the fixed position.
 7. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is a first spacer and the connector is a second spacer.
 8. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end of the strap comprises a male clip and the connector comprises a female clip.
 9. The skateboard carrying apparatus comprising: a first spacer comprising a housing having a strap within, wherein the strap comprises an extended position when the strap is substantially outside of the housing, and a retracted position when the strap is substantially within the housing, wherein the first spacer is formed to be secured between a first truck and a skateboard; and a second spacer comprising a connector, wherein the strap is releasably connectable to the connector in the extended position, wherein the first spacer is formed to be secured between a second truck and the skateboard.
 10. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a spring that spring biases the strap in the retracted position.
 11. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a lock locking the strap in a fixed position.
 12. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a spool within the housing, wherein the spool comprises the spring, wherein the retracted position comprises the strap coiled around the spool.
 13. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a gear attached to the spool, wherein the lock comprises a rotatable knob comprising a protrusion, wherein the protrusion is rotated into the gear in the fixed position.
 14. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 9, wherein the strap comprises a male clip and the connector comprises a female clip.
 15. The skateboard carrying apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer each comprise a plurality of screw openings formed therethrough. 